Horror update after newborn baby found dead in a portaloo at music festival
A newborn baby was found dead in a portaloo at Electric Forest Festival in Michigan in a horrific discovery declared a homicide by police. The cleaning crew discovered the infant during routine maintenance on Sunday morning in the toilets located in the camping area. Investigators believe the baby was born inside the portaloo, as the placenta and umbilical cord were also recovered at the scene.
An autopsy determined the baby was born alive and breathing, with fluid found in the infant's lungs and stomach. Michigan State Police Lieutenant Pat Agema confirmed the death is being investigated as a homicide, with the final post-mortem report still pending. Police have not identified the baby's mother or announced any arrests.
Thousands attended the annual festival near Rothbury, Michigan, with campers staying on site throughout the event. One festival-goer described Sunday morning: "We got up this morning to head out of the fest and there were about six-eight cops, four cop cars and a bunch of security EF staff parked right around two cordoned off porta potties."
Another attendee recalled an alarming encounter: "I went into the porta potty and was about to sit down but glimpsed what was apparently an infant's face. I was confused for a second but honestly I thought it was a doll. I now live with this crazy amount of guilt. Maybe if I took it seriously and reported it earlier that baby would still be alive."
In further developments, police confirmed that Jerard Jay Jackson, 28, was reported missing after departing the festival on Monday morning. Authorities found Jackson's body on Tuesday at around 3:30pm and said he had hung himself. Michigan Police also confirmed a car crash was connected to the festival, with a third individual still unaccounted for.
Michigan State Police appealed for witnesses: "If you were in the area and observed anything unusual or if you have information that you believe may be relevant we encourage you to come forward. We appreciate the public's cooperation and ask that people avoid speculation on social media out of respect for the investigation and those affected."